On Friday, October 31, as part of the Jubilee celebrations, the Vatican Observatory, in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University and the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), presented two special events dedicated to the beauty and mystery of the universe.

A Masterpiece by Andrea Mantegna

From the Deposition of Christ by Andrea Mantegna to twelve other works, this artistic and spiritual journey unfolds through the images of the Virgin Mary’s life.

International cooperation in the spotlight

In recent years the Customs Services of the Governorate have undertaken a process of modernization and innovation to align with today’s challenges. Thus, the Protocol of Cooperation between the Vatican City State and the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) was signed to established a coordinated system of controls and information exchange with Italy. We spoke about this with Gianni Lasaracina, Head of the Customs Services of the Governorate, who explained its strategic role and functions in this interview for www.vaticanstate.va.

The Postal and Philatelic Service of the Governorate of Vatican City State celebrates the reopening of the Basilica of Saint Benedict in Norcia — rebuilt after the severe damage caused by the 2016 earthquake — with the issue of a stamp and a special “Die Emissionis” postmark.

Under the Gaze of the Sedes Sapientiae

On the occasion of the six hundredth anniversary of the founding of the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium, one of the oldest academic institutions in Europe, the Philatelic and Postal Service of the Governorate of the Vatican City State has chosen to pay tribute to this historic cultural landmark with the issue of a commemorative stamp and a special postmark.